5 Great Recipes for a Delicious 4th of July!

"The second day of July, 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival." -John Adams, July 1, 1776

Independence Day has always been my favorite summer holiday, maybe because it always includes two of my favorite things, fireworks and red velvet cupcakes! On Independence Day we celebrate the anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from the British Empire with parades, fireworks and yes, food! You will love all of my fun and simple recipes to help plan your 4th of July holiday menu, but first, a little history. The Declaration of Independence was finally approved and signed July 4, 1776, officially declaring the United States of America independent from Great Britain. Ironically, John Adams died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration, as well as Thomas Jefferson who also passed on this very same day. The two were also coincidentally the only signers of the Declaration of Independence to become United States Presidents.

How do you celebrate Independence Day? At our house, it's all about the food...of course! I like to change up the menu each year, but one tradition that is always on the menu, my red velvet cupcakes, and John Philip Sousa marches! (click on photo for recipe)

These rich and super moist cupcakes are the perfect 4th of July Grand Finale!

Here are a few more fun and simple dishes on our holiday menu this year! Simply click on the photos for the recipes...enjoy! Don't forget to send me your food pics from your holiday table!

Bufala Caprese Salad

Deviled Eggs

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches

Lobster Mac n Cheese

Peach Blueberry Crumble

I know I said 5 great recipes for your delicious 4th...I couldn't help but share a couple more! We are celebrating right here at home this year...Hilton Head is such a great place for the 4th! Where are you spending your holiday? Send me your 4th of July photos, including your holiday table!       I would love to share...and feel free to share these recipes and menu ideas!

The best part about celebrating holidays is that the festivities always revolve around family, friends and food! My favorite part of the 4th of July is the cupcakes, though the fireworks are a close second! From our little island to wherever you are...

Happy 4th of July!

Summer Travel Series - Travel Tips

It's Summer!  Have Suitcase...Will Travel!!!

Summer is here...  Some say finally...I say already?  But ready or not, it is upon us, summer!  It is time to start thinking about summer travel planning.  I hope our summer travel series leads you to a great summer trip, destination, restaurant or even just a new fun recipe.  I want to hear from you!  Please send me your summer travel questions and your feedback!  If you choose one of our recommendations, send me your photos, I'd love to post to the blog!  Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy summer!  Bon Voyage!

Practice makes perfect as they say, and after many years of doing it, I pretty much have it down to an art.  Summer vacation travel is exciting, but seems to bring with it an added level of stress by nature.  Summer travel is meant to be fun…so let’s see what we can do to help keep it that way!

First make a packing list of the types of items you will need, depending on your destination and planned activities.  Packing smart is the key to stress free travel.   

Pack light!  Lighter weight summer clothing makes this even easier.  Choose knits and cottons, fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily. I can actually go for two weeks in a carry-on bag, I know what you are thinking, impossible right?  Stick with me here.  Pick a color and plan around it using the Rule of Three.  No more than three bottoms and/or 3 tops that are interchangeable among each other, this is where your color selection comes in, plus it really makes choosing what to take so much easier!  Pack layers and ladies don’t forget a little black dress, the most versatile item in your closet.  Dark fabrics don’t show stains and can be worn more often.  If you roll clothes, place those items on the bottom of your bag and folded items on top.  Pack small light colored clothes and undergarments in Ziploc bags, squeezing all the excess air out.

Think what you can do without, and don’t pack it!  Only take jewelry that you are actually wearing to travel, which not only keeps is simple, but also helps to prevent leaving a “little” something behind. 

Shoes:  Rule of Three.  Pack one pair of dress shoes and one pair of casual shoes, and of course, if you plan to visit the gym or hit the tennis courts, one pair of tennis/workout shoes.  Of course, you will be wearing one of these for travel, so you really only need to “pack” two.  Stuff shoes with sunglasses, charge cords, other smaller items that will fit inside.  If you are taking your golf clubs, don’t forget to utilize extra space in your golf travel bag for items that would take up unnecessary space in your suitcase, shoes in particular, tennis rackets, etc. 

Pack liquids and cosmetics in small travel containers and place in sealed Ziploc bags, which helps with organization and prevents leakage.  Place vitamins and supplements in Ziploc bags avoiding bottle bulk.  

There you have it.  Stress free travel…just in time for your summer vacation!

Check out this video featuring all of the many wonderful activities at Sea Pines Resort!

Don't forget to pack the camera! Okay, iPhone 7 with Portrait Photography feature!

JT and me enjoying the Ocean Lounge, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island.

If you haven’t made summer travel plans as yet and you are still looking for a fabulous destination for you and your family to spend time together in an amazing setting with incredible culinary…my summer dish list recommendation – Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island.  The best family vacation spot in the world!  Happy Traveling!  And if you are in my neighborhood, please reach out! 

Our home.  Beautiful Harbour Town, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Preparing your home:  Turn off toilets, or water altogether.  Pour a little bleach in the toilets.  Turn off the icemaker and remove the all but a couple of ice cubes.  This way you will know if you had a loss of power while you are away.  Chances are if the cubes have melted, the food in your freezer has also thawed at some point.  Remove foods and condiments from the refrigerator that will be spoiled by the time you return.  Leave closet doors ajar for air circulation and in summer or warmer climates, leave AC turned on to 78-80 (F) degrees.

If you are traveling by air, ladies, always carry a wrap or sweater on the plane.  And children should pack (with supervision of course) and carry their own bag!  I see some of the cutest roller bags being pulled by the most proud children when I’m traveling.

Traditional Low Country Boil.  Fresh local South Carolina Shrimp, Smoked Kielbasa, Red New Potatoes and Fresh Corn on the Cob.  Click here for recipe!

Our Beacon Still Shines!

Harbour Town Marina, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Forgive me my faithful followers, but thanks to Matthew…Hurricane Matthew, I have been out of touch.  Who knew he would take a turn for a direct hit on our Hilton Head home, after just making a direct hit on our beloved Nassau days earlier.  We were in Hilton Head when Matthew hit, and decided to stay and ride out the storm as we have done before...this one was different.

Jeff and I watched this incredible force of nature throughout the night and into the morning.   When the sun finally arose, we could not believe what we were seeing, we felt we had been placed on another planet, absolutely surreal.  Though our community took a hard blow, no pun intended, what is so amazing is the huge trees that went down in most cases found safe landing ground without making serious impact to homes, though, our thoughts and prayers are with those families whose homes were not spared.  My mind still feels like jelly, and speaking of jelly, we ate a lot of it with peanut butter this past week, our go to hurricane aftermath meal, as we were without power, water, telephone, television and internet.  Fortunately all of our services were restored yesterday as I was anxious to get back to work and in touch with reality, except what I realized when I sat down to write this blog, is that our reality for the past 8 or 9 days has been life changing.  Being totally out of touch actually wasn’t so bad, and it certainly humbled us to realize that everything out there…in the world…only exists if you are in it and that we can exist not being in it.  I am sure very soon when normalcy is restored in our life, we will be back to business as usual, but for this solemn moment in time, I am humbled, grateful and just plain happy to be able to have a hot shower at home for the first time in 8 days!  Many thanks and gratitude to all of the wonderful first responders, day to day operations and utilities staffers, et al, who have worked tirelessly to help restore our community, and of course, dear neighbors and friends for your love, support and offering your homes and "showers" to us this past week!  This has been an incredible experience that we shall not soon forget.  #hurricanehumbled #feeling blessed #gratitudeattitude 

Hurricane Aftermath Meal!

A look down the street the morning after Matthew...or is this another planet?